Tag Archives: classof2017

In the month of May 22 years ago, I had a 2 year old son, was pregnant with my second child, turned 22 years old and was newly widowed. During that month, I also learned my second child would be a girl…the last gift for my son and I from my husband. I was SO excited to know my husbands legacy would live on in both his son and daughter. Kailee-Lane McKenna LeBrun was born in August, and was the most perfect baby girl I had ever seen!

Throughout the past 21+ years, I have found myself looking at my daughter and wondering how it is possible for her to be so much like someone she’s never physically met. She’s stubborn like her mother, but sweet like her father. She has the self determination and Drive like her father. She has a shyness about her just like him, but a mean streak like her mother if you cross her! She is a perfect mix of the two people who wanted her, but never dreamed only one of us would ever get the joy of raising her.

From the time she’s been old enough to talk, she’s always been interested in medical shows. I would catch her watching Trauma Center on the T.V. as a toddler. She would dress up as a doctor, using socks as gloves, and perform “medical acts” on our poor unsuspecting pets! She once told me she wanted to be a doctor when she was about 8. When I told her she needed to work on her math grade so she can calculate medications, she said “That’s the nurses job!” 😂 So it was no surprise after high school when she decided to go to college to be a nurse. She began her classes locally and was on her way to getting her degree.

Reason #1 why she was motivated. Having to live in a household with your new baby sister screaming all of the time, helps you realize the importance of staying in school and getting your degree before juggling kids AND a family!
Shortly after she started classes, we found out my husband was stationed in Washington. So after a few months finishing classes, she moved to Washington. During that time, she decided to change her major from nursing to become a paramedic. Her reasoning….she didn’t know if she could handle the day to day relationship you build with patients because she would get too attached. This is where my heart burst with pride. How could you not be so proud of the maturity of a young lady knowing she is so caring and loving, she wouldn’t be able to leave work at work? To know at such a young age what you are and are not capable of, is showing maturity beyond her years! So that’s just what she did!
After a semester in Washington, she moved to North Carolina, enrolled in college, and has been there ever since. I have missed my baby girl, but it’s been so nice knowing I’ve raised such an independent, hard working, self-sufficient young lady. She has made new friends, worked as a waitress, and worked hard to finish her classes on time! Through all the struggles, the tears, the late nights, the moving boxes, and stupid boys, she did it!!

So tomorrow morning, bright and early, we will pack up the car and head to North Carolina to see my baby girl! Friday night we will attend her Paramedic pinning, and Saturday we will attend her college graduation. She has 2 sets of grandparents, her godparents, her cousins, and all of her siblings coming to see her take the first steps into her future! And I would bet there is a very special angel looking down with the biggest smile on his face!

Congratulations to the most gorgeous, loving, caring, funny, Paramedic I know! I love you sweet cheeks! 😘😘